DUSM Bobby Hogeland (210) 472-6540
Western District of Texas - San Antonio

Arrest of Mark Anthony Gonzalez

San
Antonio, TX – The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force sponsored by the United
States Marshals Service is announcing the arrest of Mark Anthony Gonzalez.

Mark Gonzalez was charged by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) for the
capital murder of Bexar County Deputy Sheriff, Kenneth Vann. Mark Gonzalez was
born 10/1969 and lists an address in the 19000 block of Pleasanton Road, San
Antonio, Texas.

On May 28, 2011 at approximately 0206 hrs, in San Antonio, Texas, Bexar County
Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Vann was stopped at a traffic light in his marked
patrol vehicle when an unknown motorist drove up beside him and opened fire with
an assault rifle, killing Vann. Investigative efforts later determined that 46
rounds were fired from a Smith and Wesson M & P 15 assault rifle .223 with a 150
round drum attachment.

Members of the US Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF)
responded to the crime scene. A mobile command center was brought in and staffed
by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the LSFTF. Surveillance videos from
surrounding businesses were obtained. Witness interviews were conducted. LSFTF
members ran down countless leads and conducted hours and hours of surveillance.

On June 04, 2011 the hard work and sleepless nights finally paid off. As members
of the LSFTF and the BCSO were working late into the evening hours putting
together the final time line to Deputy Vann’s life a Confidential Source (CS)
called the United States Marshals Service. The CS stated that they knew the
shooter and an eyewitness to the heinous act. As the CS began to provide
details, task force members quickly began to pull surveillance tapes to confirm
the accuracy of the CS.

On June 05, 2011 the LSFTF, having worked tirelessly into the early morning
hours, finally had enough information they believed to be highly credible. A
Bexar County Criminal District Attorney was called. Search warrants were issued
for the residence and vehicle of Gonzalez. BCSO SWAT members covered by aerial
snipers made entry into the residence resulting in the arrest of Gonzalez.

Two search warrants were executed. Found inside the residence, more specifically
the bathtub, was the assault rifle used to kill Deputy Vann, as later confirmed
by forensic tests. Also found was a second handgun purchased one week after the
slaying along with thousands of rounds of ammo. Investigators were also excited
to find two 150 round drum magazine attachments. This was vital as it clearly
explained why no reload drill could be heard in the thundering sounds of shots
being fired in surveillance videos. Gonzalez attempted to mask his identity by
going to a local hair salon and having his head shaved. Also, Gonzalez had taken
his truck to a local car wash to have it detailed, in another failed attempt to
conceal evidence. The truck was located and towed to a location where extensive
forensic tests are currently being conducted.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas said,
“We hope this arrest brings some closure to the Vann family and the entire law
enforcement community.”

Agency members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force participating in this arrest
are as follows: Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Bexar County Sheriff’s
Office, Comal County Sheriff’s Office, Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, San
Antonio Independent School District – Police Department, San Antonio Police
Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal
Justice – OIG, and the U.S. Marshals Service.